On Tuesday, the State House voted to raise Michigan’s minimum wage. The bill, which Governor Granholm has consistently supported and is expected to sign, will raise the state’s minimum wage to $6.95 in October, to $7.15 in July 2007, and to $7.40 in July 2008.

My opponent voted for this bill, and I applaud that. It’s long past time since we gave hard-working Michigan families a raise.

My question is: what took him so long?

In 2002, my opponent told the Small Business Association of Michigan that he opposed raising Michigan’s minimum wage. Then, in his first term, my opponent voted against an amendment that would have increased Michigan’s minimum wage. Finally, just a few weeks ago my opponent spoke out against the same minimum wage bill he ended up voting for on Tuesday, claiming it would harm business and reduce jobs in the state.

Make no mistake, I applaud my opponent’s vote to raise the minimum wage. But we deserve a representative who will be a consistent advocate for the working people of the 101st District, and will fight to ensure that no one in Michigan who works full time will remain trapped in poverty. We can do better.